Madison times., 1887-01-01

'And I, Adrian" said Lady Caryl, "cal
upon you to help me 10 assert my authority,
and to force that rebellous girl to obey me,
and tel me what she is carrying from that
room"
'Sr Adrian ~ I cried
My son"' appealed Lady Caryl.
lie looked from one to the other in great dis.
tress, at loss what to say, ind guant for my
sake. yet bis respect for his mother preventing
him from uttering one word that would offend
her.
'Gracia, be SAID at last | am quite sure
that what you have there is your own. | do
not doubt your word; but could YOU not as
my mother wishes it, tell her what you have in
your apron'"
1t was hard to have to refuse his request !:
but must do 1t to save him.
Il am so very sorry" Ireplied; ''buti
I cannot, Sir Adriann
You see, ADRIAN observed her ladyship,
that she will not and dares not"
He looked deeply grieved, but turned to
Lady CaryL
Mother " he said, II had almost forgotten
what l came for. The Du hess OF Morley,
your old schooLfellow, is here. She has but a
few hours to stay and wishes to see you.r
The Duchess Of Morleyw repeated Lady
Caryl hurriedly. 1 am delighted But what
shall l do with Gracial l am quite deter
mined that she shall not conquer me. I will
see what she has there"
Let me settle that for a time" he re-
joined 'Gracia, you trust me- do you not
Let me take charge of that"
My heart gave a bound. How could I say
Yes" How cou / say ''No!"
He turned to little buhl cabinet that stood
near.
Give 1t to me, Gracia," he said. az will
lock it up here until We have time to 90 into
the matter.n
1t was a moment Of terrible suspense to me.
viii you promise me-" asked, ''that no
hands shall touch it-not even your own-and
that no one shall see itr'
Il promise" he said gravely.
''You will give it back to me unopened and
untouchedr'
YES" he replied.
l fastened my white apron more tightly
round my little parcel, tied the ribbon strings
into the closest knots, and then handed 1t to
him.
He placed the parcel in the buhl cabinet
locked it, and gave me the kew
That is to prove how trust you," he said
earnestly. DO not remove that parcel until
you have made some arrangement with nv
mother. l trust you. Now, mother" he
said, turning to her ladyship, "come and see
the Duchess. She will be impatient; and to-
morrow night or tomorrow we can settle this
unpleasant business" and he kissed her.
"You will not oppose my wish, Adrian, that
Gracia leaves the house at once!n said Lady
CaryL
MY dearest mother, we will see to that to-
morrow, when everything shall be peaceably
and happily arranged. Now smile and look
bright, or the Duchess will think you are not
happy"
Lady Caryl smiled.
''You are a good son to me, Adrian" she
said gently; you never vex me-"
And then-Heaven bless him he came over
to me. He took nv hands in his not needing
his mothers presence.
81 am so sorry, Gracia There is some mis-
take, my dear. Twill see 1t rectifed"
Her ladyship's ewes flashed with anger
''How long did you say the Duchess would
remain." she asked coldly
''Some hours mother" he replied.
And then Lady Caryl, taking her sons arm,
quilted the room
They left me standing there, with the KEY
of the buhl cabinet in my hands l remained
motionless for few moments, then went to
my own room, feeling bewildered, and as if
were in dream.
could hear, after time, the sound of the
piano; and l knew that Lady Aditha was
singing, and felt that Sir Adrian was stand
ing BY her side, as he would never again stand
by mine.
1t seemed to me the very irony of fate. I
was the Squire's daughter aud heiress; this
was my own house. II those below ad known
who l really was, even the Duchess herself
would have been pleased to see me, and would
have congratulated me. But the sacr fee was
for Sir Adrian; and I would have sacrificed
more for him. What pleasure would money or
lands give me il knew that was robbing
him of either
would go on the morrow, but not to Miss
Kenyon's. l would make my way in the
world, pass out Of their lives, and some day in
the long years to come 1 would creep back
just once to Heron's Nest and look at them all
again, unseen myself-look at Sir Adrian,
with the handsome face and the bonnie blue
eyes-my love, whom should love until died
look at his beautiful young wife and his
stately mother; then
But here 1 found myself with the tears rain
ing down my face. Was it for this had fol-
Owed the hight Of the star to the postern-
gate!
CHAPTER TX.
After a time grew uneasy. knew that
Sir Adrian was the soul of honor and that
,ad the key of the buhl cabinet; but what IL
BY any accident those papers should be seen,
Il would be easy for me to give up the comfort
md luxury of the grand old mansion; but I
,ould not bear the thought of his doing So
Yet, IL he had the faintest notion of what the
papers contained, knew he would see justice
lone
The more dwelt on the idea Of nv sacrifice
he better it pleased me. Now indeed l could
yive proof of my love, although it was known
,nly to Heaven. Now it was not merely a
phantom love that / could see in ay own
mind; here was . tangible proof Of how dear
y loved him. What greater sacrifice could
woman make,
My love should never leave Heron's Nest for
ne. He should live here with his beautiful
Toung wife and children, while I went out
llone into the cold world For him should be
he pleasure, for me the pain; for him the
fright happiness Of life, for me the unutter-
Lble woe; for him the wine, for me the lees